How to Preserve Wedding Bouquet: Complete Guide

Your wedding bouquet can become a permanent keepsake with proper preservation, lasting decades rather than days. Professional freeze-drying costs $200-$600 and delivers the best results, while DIY silica gel methods achieve excellent outcomes for $50-$130. The critical factor is timing: begin preservation within 24-48 hours of your wedding, keeping flowers refrigerated until the process starts¹.

Quick Comparison: Preservation Methods

Professional Preservation Methods

Professional services deliver superior results for couples prioritising quality and longevity. The investment typically ranges from $150-$800 depending on method and display options¹.

Freeze-Drying (Best Results)

Freeze-drying is the gold standard for wedding bouquet preservation, maintaining three-dimensional shape and approximately 90% of original color vibrancy². The process involves freezing flowers at extremely low temperatures, then gradually removing moisture through sublimation over 12-15 days in a vacuum chamber.

What to expect:

• Timeline: 2-4 months from submission to delivery
• Results: Flowers retain original shape, texture, and most colour
• Longevity: 20-30+ years with proper care
• Booking: Contact preservationists 1-2 weeks before your wedding

Regional pricing for freeze-dry preservation:

Shadow Box and Framed Preservation

Professional framing combines preservation with display-ready presentation. UK specialists like The Flower Preservation Studio offer packages including freeze-drying, bespoke framing, conservation glass with UV protection, and nationwide delivery³.

UK pricing examples (The Flower Preservation Studio):

• Memory boxes (12" x 12"): £325
• Handtied bouquets (medium, bird's eye view): £350
• Handtied bouquets (large, side view): £450
• Trailing bouquets: £450-£600
• Mini keepsakes and glass domes: £125-£150

US pricing examples:

• Basic shadow box arrangements: $300-$500
• Custom shadow boxes with multiple elements: $500-$800
• Luxury displays with resin or large formats: $700-$1,200+

Professional Resin Preservation

Resin casting encases dried or pressed flowers in clear epoxy, creating paperweights, coasters, serving trays, or decorative blocks. Professional services produce bubble-free, crystal-clear results that DIY methods struggle to match.

Typical costs: $200-$600 for professional resin pieces, depending on size and complexity.

DIY Preservation Methods

Home preservation offers significant cost savings, with results ranging from excellent (silica gel) to variable (air drying). Success depends on flower freshness, technique, and patience⁴.

Silica Gel Method (Recommended DIY)

Silica gel delivers the best home preservation results, maintaining both shape and colour far better than air drying. The crystals absorb moisture from flowers over 1-2 weeks, leaving them preserved in near-original condition.

Supplies needed (approximately $50-$130 total):

• Silica gel crystals: 10-25 pounds required ($40-$100)
• Airtight plastic containers
• Soft-bristle paintbrush
• Protective mask and gloves
• Sealant spray (optional, $10-$15)

Step-by-step process:

1. Prepare flowers immediately after your wedding. Keep them in water and refrigerated until you begin (within 24-48 hours).

2. Trim stems to approximately 1/4 inch below the flower head. This small stem helps with handling during removal.

3. Layer silica gel in your container, placing 1-2 inches at the bottom. Nestle flowers face-up without overlapping.

4. Pour gel carefully around and between petals, supporting flower shape. For roses and peonies, gently pour gel inside the bloom to maintain form.

5. Seal and wait 1-2 weeks for smaller flowers, 2-4 weeks for dense blooms. Flowers are ready when petals feel papery and stiff, not flexible or spongy.

6. Remove and clean flowers gently using a soft brush to remove crystals. Spray with floral sealant for added durability.

Air Drying (Budget-Friendly)

Air drying requires no special materials but produces rustic results with significant colour fading. This method suits couples embracing a vintage aesthetic or preserving greenery.

Process:

1. Hang bouquet upside down by the stems
2. Choose a dark, dry, well-ventilated location
3. Wait 2-3 weeks until flowers feel papery
4. Apply hairspray or sealant to reduce brittleness

Expectations: Colours will darken and fade substantially. Whites turn cream or tan. This method works best for roses, lavender, eucalyptus, and baby's breath.

Pressing Flowers

Pressing creates flat, delicate preservation suitable for framing, scrapbooks, or resin jewelry. This traditional method works beautifully for single blooms or individual petals.

Process:

1. Disassemble bouquet into individual flowers and leaves
2. Place between sheets of parchment paper
3. Press under heavy books (add 15-20 pounds of weight)
4. Replace parchment every few days to prevent mould
5. Wait 2-4 weeks until completely dry

Best flowers for pressing: Single-layer blooms like daisies, pansies, and ferns. Roses can be pressed by separating petals. Thick flowers like peonies require pressing individual petals.

DIY Resin Casting

Resin encasing works for small flowers or individual blooms, creating permanent keepsakes like jewelry, coasters, or paperweights. Flowers must be fully dried first (using silica gel or pressing) before resin application.

Basic supplies ($30-$80):

• Two-part epoxy resin
• Silicone moulds
• Mixing cups and sticks
• Dried flowers

Tips for success:

• Use completely dry flowers to prevent cloudiness
• Pour resin in thin layers to avoid air bubbles
• Allow 24-72 hours curing time between layers

Flower Preservation Difficulty Guide

Not all wedding flowers preserve equally. Understanding which blooms handle preservation best helps set realistic expectations.

Before, During, and After Your Wedding

Before the Wedding (1-2 Weeks)

• Research and book professional preservation services if choosing that route
• For DIY, purchase silica gel, containers, and supplies
• Confirm collection or shipping arrangements with your florist or preservationist
• Designate a trusted person to handle flowers after the ceremony

Wedding Day

• Assign someone to keep your bouquet in water between photos
• Store in a cool location away from direct sunlight and heat
• Refrigerate flowers overnight if preservation begins the next day
• Avoid crushing or bending stems during celebration

After the Wedding (24-48 Hours)

• Professional route: Deliver or ship flowers to your preservationist immediately
• DIY route: Begin preservation within 48 hours maximum
• Remove any damaged or wilted blooms before preservation
• Photograph your fresh bouquet for reference before the process begins

Display Ideas for Preserved Bouquets

Once preserved, display options range from traditional framing to creative keepsakes.

Common Preservation Mistakes

Starting too late: Waiting beyond 48-72 hours dramatically reduces preservation quality. Wilted petals cannot regain freshness.

Improper storage: Never leave bouquets in hot cars, direct sunlight, or without water before preservation begins.

Overcrowding flowers: Whether using silica gel or shadow boxes, flowers need space. Overlapping causes damage and uneven drying.

Insufficient silica gel: Completely covering flowers requires more crystals than expected. Budget for 15-25 pounds for a full bridal bouquet.

Skipping the sealant: Unsealed preserved flowers absorb humidity and deteriorate faster. A light sealant spray extends longevity significantly.

Ignoring UV exposure: Display preserved flowers away from windows and direct sunlight. UV light causes fading within months, not years.

Regional Considerations

United States

American couples have extensive professional options, with preservation services available in most major cities. National mail-in services accommodate couples in rural areas, with shipping kits provided for secure transport¹. The Knot's vendor marketplace lists verified preservation specialists searchable by location.

United Kingdom

UK services like The Flower Preservation Studio, Precious Petals, and Smart Floral Art offer freeze-drying and professional framing with delivery included³. Prices typically include conservation glass with UV protection. Booking 2-4 weeks before your wedding is advisable during peak season (May-September).

Australia

Australian preservation services concentrate in major cities, with Blooming Keepsakes (Cairns), Precious Posies (South Australia), and Jax and Co. offering freeze-dry preservation. The 6-8 month turnaround time is longer than US or UK services due to fewer providers. Many Australian couples ship flowers to specialist providers rather than using local options⁵.

Making Your Decision

Consider these factors when choosing between professional and DIY preservation:

Choose professional preservation if:

• Your bouquet has high sentimental value
• You want guaranteed, display-ready results
• Budget allows $300-$800 for premium outcomes
• Flowers include challenging varieties (peonies, orchids)

Choose DIY preservation if:

• Budget is a priority
• You enjoy craft projects
• Flowers are preservation-friendly (roses, hydrangeas)
• You're comfortable with good (not perfect) results

Your wedding bouquet represents one of the most photographed and meaningful elements of your celebration. Whether investing in professional freeze-drying or dedicating a weekend to silica gel preservation, the result transforms fleeting blooms into permanent keepsakes. Start planning preservation alongside your wedding decorations to ensure nothing is left to chance on your special day.

Sources and References